Williams Selyem Winery

Williams Selyem Winery is the most legendary name in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Founded in 1981 by Burt Williams and Ed Selyem — two friends who started making wine in a garage — the winery built its reputation through relationships with the valley's greatest growers: Rochioli, Allen, Ferrington, Coastlands, and Precious Mountain, among others.

Those handshake agreements, sealed before Williams Selyem was even commercially licensed, gave the winery access to fruit that defined what California Pinot Noir could be. The single-vineyard wines they produced in the 1980s and 1990s changed the perception of American Pinot Noir worldwide and established the Russian River Valley as the country's premier Pinot Noir appellation.

Today Williams Selyem is owned by John and Kathe Dyson, who have maintained the original winemaking philosophy with extraordinary fidelity. The mailing list — which visitors can join on-site — remains one of the most sought-after wine allocations in California. Tasting visits are exclusively for active mailing list members, conducted by estate hosts in a gracious, home-like setting on Westside Road.

Williams Selyem Winery presents a featured lineup that includes Rochioli Riverblock Pinot Noir, Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir, and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Together, these bottles provide a focused introduction to the varieties, vineyard sources, and style that define the winery's current portfolio.